We arrived after a very long journey from London to lovely Forres, a perennial favourite for us. We arrived after 10pm but in this latitude, the summer sun doesn’t set until after 10:30, so we were able to catch a beautiful sunset on our lighted walk to the apartment.

European Pipe Band Championships

We received eye rolls then keen interest in our love for the pipe band championships, an annual pilgrimage for us. The contest began with Grade 4 bands performing and, as shown here, judged for musicality, synchronicity, and difficulty.

Loch Ness

We were a bit spoiled for choice on best picture of this fabulous lake, and we’re still trying to decide. The Loch is as advertised- large, pristine, and beautiful.

Dores

Near the Loch, shore hikes abound and we enjoyed getting lost among the Douglas firs and ferns that canvass the surrounding landscape.

Inverness

It’s more of a town than a city, less in terms of size and more in terms of accessibility. The Highland capital is firmly planted and has been so for centuries as the central hub in an otherwise sparsely populated area. Plus, it’s just a gorgeous city.

Culloden

Outlander fans and history buffs, this is for you, for it is on this very field that the Battle of Culloden took place. This final Jacobite rebellion of 1745, an attempt to thrust Bonnie Prince Charlie to the throne, was an utter failure for Scotland. It wasn’t even close: 1,550 to 3,000 Scots casualties compared to only about 300 English in about an hour on this deceptively peaceful field.

Forres

Scotland really boasts some of the most beautiful cities and towns that can be found in Britain. Forres stands proudly between Inverness and Elgin as a testament to Scottish pride of place and is our favourite stop in the north Highlands.

The Euros

This kid just isn’t intimidated at all. He knows how to play with the big boys. Children learn early in Scotland to plays the pipes, drums or learn to drum major, thus continuing a long standing tradition. This isn’t a revival, it is a continuation.

Nessie

While she couldn’t be found, Chelsea couldn’t stay out of the cool, clear water!

Lochside

It was exactly as pictured here: travellers standing at the shoreline, thanking the good Lord that we were given the opportunity to see this amazing loch and vowing to return.

Culloden Memorial Wall

The raised stones in this very long section of wall represent the Scots who died on that day in 1745. The English portion of the wall was too small to photograph. Much died on that day besides a few thousand brave Scots. The clan system, Scotland’s dominant way of life for centuries, became severely undermined and nearly died out. It was never the same again. It took less than an hour. Such is war.